Since debuting the product in 2007, Apple has released new versions of its signature smartphone to U.S. stores in June, with one exception (in 2008). Now, however, the iPhone 5 is set to go on sale in September, or even October. Investors should take great interest in what an autumn product launch might portend about Apple's underlying strategy.

Apple's earnings per share nearly doubled last quarter, and its performance the previous quarter was almost as good. But Apple's shares are only up 11% in the last six months, trailing the Nasdaq. Still, there are reasons to believe that the stock will take off.

Though it's currently trading at $618, some investment pros view the stock as intrinsically inexpensive based on more than a couple of metrics. One measure in particular looks at Google's price-to-revenues ratio and sees plenty of room for the stock to rise.

Kodak has accused Apple and Research in Motion of infringing on one of its digital-imaging patents with the iPhone and BlackBerry smartphones. But the International Trade Commission in Washington has ruled against Kodak in a preliminary decision.

Verizon customers will likely flock to the Apple iPhone 4 when the largest U.S. carrier starts selling it in February. But many industry-watchers expect an iPhone 5 a few months later. And that could create a quandary for folks on the fence about their next smartphone move.

Google is considering a plan to charge publishers less to sell news to Android users than the 30% fee that Apple typically charges to sell apps on iTunes. Will that be enough to attract news publishers?

It's the season for reviewing the year that's ending and making predictions for the one ahead. On Tuesday, venture capitalist and DailyFinance columnist Peter Cohan was part of a TV panel that was asked: Who was the person of the year? What was the story of the year? And what will happen in 2011? Here are his answers.

Motorola (MOT) delivered its first quarter of profitability and annual revenue growth since 2006 when it posted its third quarter results Thursday, beating analysts estimates and shoring up Wall Street's confidence that the company is poised to make good on its turnaround efforts.

Apple (AAPL) says the iPhone 4 won%u2019t be available in white until later this year.
The product is proving "more challenging to manufacture than we originally expected," Apple said today in a statement.

A monopoly abuse lawsuit against Apple and AT&T%u2019s mobile phone unit was awarded class-action status by a judge in California.
The complaint takes issue with the fact that iPhones are locked into AT&T%u2019s network, The Associated Press reported. The lawsuit says Apple made a secret deal giving AT&T exclusive use of the iPhone in the United States for five years. This means that customers who sign up for a two-year agreement with AT&T when they buy an iPhone are effectively locked into a five-year relationship.